Endosense and Siemens Healthcare Unveil Prototype Software Visualizing Contact-Force Data in 3-D Anatomic Heart Model

GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Endosense, a Swiss medical technology company, and Siemens Healthcare, one of the world’s largest suppliers to the healthcare industry, have announced completion of prototype software integrating the contact-force data provided by Endosense’s TactiCath® force-sensing ablation catheter¹ with Siemens’ electrophysiology solutions. The new application, which was created under a joint development agreement announced in January 2011, was designed to allow electrophysiologists to view catheter tip-to-tissue contact force within a fluoroscopically-enabled, three-dimensional anatomic heart model during catheter ablation procedures.

“The ability to visualize contact force in real time represents a significant step forward in the catheter ablation treatment of cardiac arrhythmias”

“The ability to visualize contact force in real time represents a significant step forward in the catheter ablation treatment of cardiac arrhythmias,” said Dipen Shah, M.D., University Hospital of Geneva, who will soon demonstrate the technology’s feasibility by performing the first patient case. “Using this new software, we gain the ability to not only measure and control contact force in real time but also view it within the three-dimensional context of the heart anatomy. I believe the enhanced visualization will allow me and my fellow electrophysiologists to perform catheter ablation with an even greater level of insight and confidence, ultimately translating into procedures that are more effective and safe.”

Eric Le Royer, chief executive officer, Endosense, also commented on the development milestone. “With the completion of this all-in-one software prototype, we have proven our ability to deliver the critical dimension of contact-force sensing on a totally new platform. The speed and quality of execution of our collaboration has been remarkable since we announced it in January of this year. We look forward to bringing this new technology to market to both expand the use and enhance the benefits of force control in the EP lab.”

Commenting on the development milestone, Martin Ostermeier, Director Innovations of the Interventional X-ray business unit of Siemens Healthcare, added, “We believe catheter tip force sensing will play a major role in the EP lab in order to improve safety and success rate of cardiac ablation procedures. The completed prototype will allow us to evaluate the clinical benefits of Endosense’s TactiCath technology integrated into future Siemens Healthcare products.”

About Siemens Healthcare

The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids. Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 48,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world. In fiscal year 2010 (to September 30), the Sector posted revenue of 12.4 billion euros and profit of around 750 million euros. For further information please visit: http://www.siemens.com/healthcare.

About Endosense

Founded in Geneva in 2003, Endosense is a medical technology company focused on improving efficacy, safety and accessibility of catheter ablation for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. The company pioneered the use of contact-force measurement in catheter ablation with the development of the TactiCath, the first force-sensing ablation catheter to give physicians a real-time, objective measure of contact force during the catheter ablation procedure. Launched in April 2010 with a full release in September 2010, the second generation of the novel device has been used across Europe to treat more than one thousand patient cases of atrial fibrillation (AF) and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Endosense is currently conducting several post-market clinical studies aimed at proving the superiority of the TactiCath force-sensing catheter over standard irrigated catheters, as well as the TOCCASTAR investigational device exemption (IDE) clinical trial. The company is also executing an open platform strategy to integrate its technology into a range of three-dimensional cardiac mapping systems. BIOTRONIK is the exclusive distributor of the TactiCath in Europe, Latin America, Canada, Africa, and Middle East.

Endosense is backed by Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners, Neomed, Gimv, VI Partners, Sectoral Asset Management, Ysios Capital Partners and Initiative Capital Romandie. For more information, visit www.endosense.com.

¹ Caution: In the United States, the TactiCath is an investigational device. Limited by Federal (or United States) law to investigational use.